Fall Back Without Falling Behind on Your Child’s Eye Health

October brings with it the beauty of fall: changing leaves, pumpkin patches, and cozy evenings. But it also brings changes that can impact your child’s vision. With the end of Daylight Savings Time, shorter days, longer nights, and colder weather in some areas of the country, families often find themselves spending more time indoors.

For children at risk of myopia (blurry distance vision), these seasonal changes can quietly speed up the progression of their disease. At Treehouse Eyes, we want parents to understand the importance of maintaining healthy eye habits during the fall and winter months, especially making sure children still get time outdoors.

Why the Seasonal Shift Matters for Children’s Eyes

As the days grow shorter, outdoor playtime naturally decreases. Once the clocks fall back, many children leave school only to find the sun already setting. This shift means:

• Less exposure to natural light, which is essential for healthy eye development.
  
• More indoor activities such as homework, reading, or digital device use.
  
• Increased screen time, especially as families look for entertainment during darker, colder evenings.
  

These lifestyle changes may seem minor, but when added up day after day, they can create an environment that fuels myopia progression.

The Science Behind Outdoor Time and Myopia

Research from around the world consistently shows that time spent outdoors protects children from developing and worsening myopia.

• A landmark study in Australia found that children who spent more time outdoors had significantly lower rates of myopia compared to those who spent most of their time indoors (Rose et al., Ophthalmology, 2008).
  
• A randomized trial in China demonstrated that adding just 40 extra minutes of outdoor time each school day reduced the incidence of new myopia cases by over 20% (He et al., JAMA, 2015).

Experts recommend children spend at least 120 minutes outside daily.

The Fall and Winter Challenge

Parents know how tricky this can be. By the time school ends, daylight may already be fading. Add in cooler weather, and the appeal of staying indoors grows stronger. But these months are when habits matter most.

Without outdoor time, children may:

• Spend long hours on homework or devices without breaks.
  
• Experience more eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.
  
• See faster progression of myopia.

A 2024 review in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology highlights that increased outdoor time is one of the strongest protective factors against myopia in children, primarily due to the beneficial effects of natural sunlight on healthy eye growth. In other words: less daylight and more screen time = higher risk.

Practical Tips for Parents

Here are some ways to prioritize outdoor time even when the days are shorter:

1. Make use of mornings. With sunrise happening earlier, encourage children to spend a few minutes outside before school. Even 15–20 minutes can help.
   
2. Take advantage of weekends. Plan family activities like hikes, apple picking, or outdoor sports during daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
   
3. Bundle up and go out. In colder climates, encourage kids to play outside in the afternoon, even if just for a short burst of activity. Fresh air and natural light are worth it.
   
4. Balance indoor routines. Create limits around screen time and encourage non-digital hobbies in the evenings, like puzzles, board games, or reading under proper lighting.

How Myopia Management Supports Children Year-Round

Outdoor time is important, but it’s not the only tool. At Treehouse Eyes, we specialize in myopia management treatments designed to slow or even stop the progression of nearsightedness. These include:

• Specialty contact lenses, such as MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses, shown in clinical trials to slow myopia progression by 40–60%.
  
• Prescription eye drops (low-dose atropine) that research has shown can reduce progression by 50% or more.
  
• Customized treatment plans tailored to each child’s needs and lifestyle.
  

When combined with lifestyle changes like more outdoor time, these treatments give children the best chance to protect their vision long-term.

Don’t Let Fall Set Your Child Back

The shorter days of October don’t have to mean setbacks for your child’s eye health. With intentional habits and professional myopia management, you can help your child thrive throughout every season.

At Treehouse Eyes, we work every day to give children better vision for life. 

Ready to start the discussion?

👉 Schedule a virtual consultation with Treehouse Eyes this fall and take the first step in protecting your child’s vision for years to come.